"[Due to] suspicious activity on reverse vending machines (RVMs) at three Connecticut redemption centers, we have asked these businesses to manually sort containers so we may verify that our containers are being properly processed in accordance with Connecticut law," said Nick Martin, Coca-Cola's Director of Public Affairs and Communications for New England.

"We are here all the time. We have video cameras. I don't know what they're suggesting. I don't know if it's an accounting error," said Pianka, who has owned and operated M&M with his wife, Amanda, for 16 years.

"While our internal evaluation of the data from RVMs is ongoing, and the source of the activity is inconclusive at this time, such discrepancies were significant enough to warrant this change at this time," said Martin.

The changes impact M&M in Wallingford, Green Planet in Bristol and Redemption Centers of America in West Haven. The West Haven facility is the only one deciding to comply with Coca-Cola's request. The other two say the hand processing directive is cost prohibitive.

"It would mean I would have to hire additional personnel to hand sort these containers," said Pianka, who says his business barely breaks even. And, he adds, their pickup vendor won't come until he's got at least 200 full bags waiting.

"As you can see, I don't have a very large facility," said Pianka, pointing to his 3,000 square foot building on Church Street (Rt 68).